NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index sustained record-high levels increasing to 104.8 in April. According to the association, small business optimism continued to improve based on reports of increasing profits, the highest in the survey’s 45-year history. Additionally, the number of small businesses reporting poor sales fell to a near record low. April was the 17th consecutive month of historically high readings, according to NFIB.

NFIB said small business earnings were the highest in the history of its monthly survey, which dates back to 1973. It also noted that small business optimism increased in April to a level in the top 95th percentile of its all-time average.

 “Never in the history of this survey have we seen profit trends so high. The optimism small businesses owners have about the economy is turning into new job creation, increased wages and benefits, and investment.”

Juanita Duggan
NFIB President and CEO

“Consumer spending, the new tax law, and lower regulatory barriers are all supporting the surge in optimism across all small business industry sectors,” NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said.

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